SC allows I-T to reopen tax files of Rahul, Sonia

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the Income Tax Department to reopen tax assessment of top Congress leaders Rahul and Sonia Gandhi for 2011-12 in connection with the National Herald case.

The apex court, however, restrained the department from implementing its order in the proceedings against Rahul, who is the Congress president, and his mother Sonia till the pendency of the matter before the court. The court also said that it was not expressing any opinion on the merits of the pleas filed by Rahul and Sonia Gandhi in the case

The tax matter is related to the National Herald case in which the Congress leaders are also facing criminal proceedings.

A bench headed by Justice AK Sikri posted the matter for hearing on January 8. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the I-T department, said the court should not restrain it from implementing the assessment orders against the Gandhis and others. The bench said due to paucity of time, the matter cannot be heard on Tuesday and it is just an interim order.